I am ashamed of my fellow countrypersons

Two University of Pretoria students will face disciplinary action after a photo of the two dressed up as black domestic workers went viral after being posted on Facebook.

The photo shows the two women covered in brown paint, wearing scarves over their heads and with pillows stuffed into their skirts to make their buttocks look bigger.

The pictures were taken at a private party but the university told Eyewitness News that disciplinary action will be instituted against the students because they allegedly brought the institution’s name into disrepute.

That one can look at this incident from so many angles is one of the reasons that makes me ashamed and disturbed.

Looking at the image makes the words that I tell my children ring in my ears; “Do not place yourself in any position or image or video that may compromise your future by landing up on any social media network.” These days we don’t need private eyes to find out our peccadillos as our entire online lives are tracked and recorded by Search Engines, Phones, Social Media and ISP’s – this incident is the thin wedge of Big Brother whom we have welcomed into our homes, given tea and cake and placed on our favourite chair in well worn comfy slippers. Big Brother is not moving!

What these two ladies did was insensitive and demonstrated their lack of empathy to the very women that probably brought them up, washed their clothes, cleaned their homes and tidied their rooms. That these women were black is a fact of life in present day South Africa. That they chose to parody them in such a fashion shows deep disrespect to working women the world over. These two students should hand their brains in at the door and hang their heads in shame.

Blackface – the two ladies having fun. (Image lifted from Facebook)

But, back to the ashamed bit and everyone’s favourite race mongering section of the News24 web site – the comments section. This is where trolls and idiots display their total lack of education and empathy by attempting to incite an argument with anyone. This was brought home as one commentator, Brad Kavoki, said; “I am glad news24 readers/commentators do not represent the bulk of the white race in South Africa- I have come across really intelligent white people- ditto for black people….I at times am in awe of the stupidity that is displayed on this forum… what is the collective IQ of news24 commentators?”

Some of the more disturbing comments:

Oh please get a life! Are we not allowed to laugh anymore? Over sensitive idiots!

It is so pathetic. I can hardly believe that society has gone this far.

What will schools do if they have dress up parts in their plays. I once dressed up as a pig. Is that an insult to the pigs? Of course not….IDIOTS !!!

Please take note SA citizens: If there is any kind of dress-up party…do not, I repeat, do not attempt to dress-up as a domestic worker or any kind of form that resembles another culture…it will be racial and not for fun! ALAS!!!

How many times do we see it on a daily basis that black people put in hair extensions and wigs, sometimes they are blonde and red hair colour, which I might add is exclusive to the white race, do you see us moan? NO!!!

Go get a life, is it that difficult to live with your skin colour?

This was done in bad taste, not racism. So will the SAHRC also complain about white woman wearing African inspired dresses? or white men wearing Madiba shirts? Will the SAHRC also complain against someone going to a “PRIVATE” dress-up party as hitler?

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About MyPortElizabeth

About Alan Straton: Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."